Discover Crewkerne

Crewkerne combines impressive landscapes, a rich town history and regular markets to create a varied travel destination. Bincombe Beeches is particularly distinctive: from the northern slopes, in exceptionally clear conditions and with binoculars, the view extends over 36 miles between Bincombe and Beacon Batch, across Lopen and as far as the Quantock and Mendip Hills. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Crewkerne can use this as a basis for combining different ideas for days out – from observing nature to discovering the town’s history.

Landscape and walks around Crewkerne

Bincombe Beeches is a local nature reserve with a rich variety of wildlife. It can be accessed via several footpaths. One of them climbs steeply directly from Crewkerne town centre; it is signposted from the road at the north-eastern corner of Market Square. This specific route is important when planning a day out if you would like to include Bincombe Beeches in your itinerary.

The Introductory Town Trail provides another way to get your bearings. The approximately 1.25-mile circular walk first passes through the town centre and then climbs to Bincombe Hill. It runs mainly along roads and footpaths. In this way, the walk connects the town’s history with a route into the countryside. For travellers with different interests, it may make sense to devote one day more to the town centre and another to experiencing nature.

Historical traces in the townscape

Crewkerne has a long history. As early as Saxon times, the town was a royal estate with a mint. Much of the late Georgian architecture in today’s town centre has been preserved. Many façades have been converted into shops at street level, placing historic architecture and modern use directly alongside each other.

One of the town’s defining buildings is the Church of St Bartholomew, a parish church dating from the 15th and early 16th centuries with older origins. The George Hotel also stands on Market Square. The present building was constructed in 1832 as a replacement for the original 1541 inn. Those interested in architectural history and the development of a place will therefore find several distinct historical layers in Crewkerne: from its Saxon past and medieval origins to its late Georgian townscape.

Markets and suitable travel planning

For a stay featuring regional market activity, Crewkerne offers two regular events. On Wednesdays, a weekly market with covered craft stalls takes place on the upper floor of Victoria Hall. It was relaunched in 2024 and continued permanently after a six-month trial period. The Saturday Farmers’ Market usually takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month on Falkland Square.

These regular events may play a role in choosing when to travel. If you mainly want to experience the Town Trail, the historic buildings and the markets, your planning will focus on the town’s activities. For a trip with a stronger focus on the landscape, Bincombe Beeches and the climb to Bincombe Hill are among the key destinations. A holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Crewkerne can therefore be chosen according to the desired balance of town history, market visits and nature experiences, without limiting your stay to just one type of travel experience.

Other places to consider when planning your trip

As additional destinations, you can also include Othery, Horsington, Bruton, Goathurst, Beckington, Wiveliscombe, Templecombe and Taunton in your further search.

For the overarching travel overview: Somerset.